Thanks for the paragraphs! Saved me from doing it as I am wont to do from time to time. Lots of good things to think about in here. And if a financial collapse doesn’t give you any fear - then think of an earthquake or Sandy type storm.
My BIL, with five days to prepare for Sandy, was bemoaning the fact that he had no food in the house (wife and two kids), no money because the ATM’s didn’t work - but no food in the stores anyway, and no gas to drive someplace to get food or money. (He was on the edge of the storm. No power, but not much damage).
My wife had no sympathy for her brother - “He’s had a week to prepare!”
My son said “We wouldn’t have even noticed if it had happened to us!”
Not sure that was EXACTLY accurate, but at least he knows I try. Although the last time we were snowed in and without power for 8 days I only had to run to the store once. One of the bags of Marshmallows for s’mores had gone stale!
Last year we gave up our "dream home" that we had worked for and worked on for a long time. We now have a much smaller home, in the woods on less property, but with no mortgage. We've got a generator for basic electric and to keep the extra fridge and freezer in the garage going. We added propane with 500 gallons storage for more self reliance. We can probably sustain ourselves and our dogs for about 6 months.
The two big variables that are probably the biggest problem are what to do about money and are we ready and (to what extent) willing to protect what we have. We keep some cash that we can get to in case banks become inoperative. But, if that were to happen, the cost of everything would probably go so high the money would be almost useless in no time anyway.
My biggest fear is medical needs and prescription medications that my wife must have.
In the worst case the dilemma for everyone will be how to make or take what we need or how to defend what we have.